The Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve is one of six described areas within the greater
Charlotte Harbor estuary complex to be designated by Legislature for inclusion
in the aquatic preserve system under the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975.

Eighty six of the state�s endangered and threatened species are found within the Charlotte
Harbor region (listed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora or Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals).

Mammals

Florida manatee

Trichechus manatus

E

E

State listings are taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
or as with plants Florida Department of Agriculture. Federal listings are taken
from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. E= Endangered; T= Threatened; T
(s/a)= Threatened due to similarity in appearance; SSC= Species of Special Concern;
UR= Under review; n/a= information not available or no designation listed;
C=Commercially exploited

The Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve is relatively uncomplicated, low and flat. Both mainland
and barrier island elevations
are low, averaging about 10 feet in elevation. Two major tributaries drain into the
preserves as well as several extensive residential canal systems.

There are many significant archaeological and historical sites located within and
adjacent to the greater Charlotte Harbor. For the past 7-8,000 years, the resource
base of this area has been estuarine in nature, with the PaleoIndian Period, dating
12,000 years ago being the earliest known occupation of the area.

The Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves provide many types of recreational and commercial
uses for permanent and part-time residents and visiting tourists including recreational
and commercial boating and fishing, single and multi family structures, swimming, commercial
uses such as docks and boat slips associated with restaurants, marinas and resorts, and
miscellaneous utility uses.

The two southern preserves in particular lie adjacent to many beautiful and highly utilized
parks and beaches including Cayo Costa State Park and the
J.N. "Ding" Darling
Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Nature observations and shell collection are also popular
activities within the aquatic preserve.

Designations

The area has state designations as an Aquatic Preserve, Outstanding Florida
Waterway, and Class II and Class III waters. Designated as an EPA Gulf of
Mexico Ecological Management Site (GEMS) and as a National Estuarine Preserve (NEP).

Resource Management

The overall goals of resource management within the aquatic preserves areas are:

maintaining current, detailed resource inventories,

maintaining an up-to-date inventory of physical alterations from human
activities,

restoring and enhancing littoral zone habitats,

improving water quality, and

encouraging uses of adjacent uplands which protect and enhance the
resources in the aquatic preserves.

Education

One of the primary aims of the aquatic preserve program is to educate the general public and policy makers about
the importance of natural resources in the preserves and the effects of certain actions on those resources.
Specific educational activities within the preserves include aquatic preserve signs, educational displays,
presentations and participation in events.

Research

Site specific research and monitoring activities conducted by aquatic preserve staff are coordinated with the
research and monitoring efforts of other agencies and institutions. The goals of the research program for the
preserves are as follows:

Determine changes that are occurring in aquatic communities within the preserves.

Encourage continuing research on specific issues within the preserves.

Specific research and monitoring activities within the aquatic preserves includes: